Another M3 or a Porsche?
Discussion
Right - Back to these boards after a couple of years absence. Used to own an early M3 and I have to say its the best car I've had to date. Got rid of it a while back due to it not being used properly - I was commuting 3 hours a day in heavy traffic racking up huge miles in 3rs gear - so bought an old Saab 9-3 to run into the ground. (which is why I stayed away from this place, I didnt really want see nice vehicles while in mourning....) - no disrespect to Saab owners, the car did the job but....
Anyway the time has come to chop in the old banger and get back into the seat of something fun again. Started looking at M3's again. Prices are coming down and figured I could pick something decent up for around 25k. Now, as we all know - a 25k budget soon gets stretched. "If I spent a couple of grand more I get a later model" then " actually if i spend 5K more i can get something even better". And so on.....
So I started thinking. A couple of guys I used to work with ran porsches. One was a 996 C4s, the other a new Cayman S. The 996 I thought was excellent - especially the exhaust note..... the Cayman was a nnice package even though it was Speed Yellow which I never thought I would like. Caymans appeal due to mid engine layout and good reviews from what I can see but havent really dropped below 40k yet - So my questions are:
Recommendations for 25 - 35k?
Anyone moved from an M3 to a Porsche on here?
Other alternatives I haven't considered?
Whats the danger point on mileage - say for a 996?
Will keep an eye on the classifieds of course but if anyone has advice I'd be happy to here it.
The car will be driven mainly on weekends. It won't be tracked or used to get the shopping. It will be parked outside (no garage or off street parking)
Apologies for the ramble - future posts will be shorter I promise!
Anyway the time has come to chop in the old banger and get back into the seat of something fun again. Started looking at M3's again. Prices are coming down and figured I could pick something decent up for around 25k. Now, as we all know - a 25k budget soon gets stretched. "If I spent a couple of grand more I get a later model" then " actually if i spend 5K more i can get something even better". And so on.....
So I started thinking. A couple of guys I used to work with ran porsches. One was a 996 C4s, the other a new Cayman S. The 996 I thought was excellent - especially the exhaust note..... the Cayman was a nnice package even though it was Speed Yellow which I never thought I would like. Caymans appeal due to mid engine layout and good reviews from what I can see but havent really dropped below 40k yet - So my questions are:
Recommendations for 25 - 35k?
Anyone moved from an M3 to a Porsche on here?
Other alternatives I haven't considered?
Whats the danger point on mileage - say for a 996?
Will keep an eye on the classifieds of course but if anyone has advice I'd be happy to here it.
The car will be driven mainly on weekends. It won't be tracked or used to get the shopping. It will be parked outside (no garage or off street parking)
Apologies for the ramble - future posts will be shorter I promise!
I moved from an E46 M3 to a 997 - granted a bit different from your circumstances. I was very hesitant doing so as the M3 was quite possibly the most complete car ever - everyday kinda car with outrageous performance - not a lot you couldnt do with an M3. In the 3 years I had it, it cost me £700 in servicing (that included two new tyres). I was understandly a little nervous trading up for a more expensive car that could basically do no more than the M3. That said I am now in love with my 997 and look forward to every time I go for a drive in it - it is a real treat everytime. The same cannot be said about the M3 (fun it was, but it was not "special"
. So in a waffly kinda way that is how I would sumamrise the move - each and every drive in a Porsche will be special (just forget the costs involved as the M3 offers just an incredible mix of performance and value for money)
. So in a waffly kinda way that is how I would sumamrise the move - each and every drive in a Porsche will be special (just forget the costs involved as the M3 offers just an incredible mix of performance and value for money)M3ax said:
Anyone moved from an M3 to a Porsche on here?
Yes, but I'm not sure it helps that much - I moved from an E46 M3 (cost circa £40k new) to a 997 C4s (cost circa £80k new).I'd always been a Porsche fan and aspired to owning one, but I was amazed at the way it makes me feel when I drive it - I expected it to feel more special, but to me it more than justifies being twice the price of the M3, which is unexpected given the law of diminishing returns and performance per pound etc.
The big issue you will find at the £25k-£35k level is that performance wise the 911 (996) and M3 will be broadly similar, albeit slightly in favour of the 911, but the 911 will be a significantly older car, so will appear more dated, on the inside in particular (I think the 996 exterior shape still looks pretty modern).
Cheers
Sidicks
The M3 CSL can be had for circa £30k +/- ... It is a load of bang for your buck and a nice upgrade from the fond memories of your previous M3.
I prefer Porsche Ownership myself and have trodden the path of previous M3 ownership to modern day Porsches. A good 996 facelift will be above £30k I think, not as practical as a E46 M3 but not too far from it.
Without too much price creap involved - a really good non-facelift 996 can be had for sub £30k - might be worth a thought.
Good Hunting, there is plenty in that price bracket to wet the appetite.
I prefer Porsche Ownership myself and have trodden the path of previous M3 ownership to modern day Porsches. A good 996 facelift will be above £30k I think, not as practical as a E46 M3 but not too far from it.
Without too much price creap involved - a really good non-facelift 996 can be had for sub £30k - might be worth a thought.
Good Hunting, there is plenty in that price bracket to wet the appetite.
I would go for facelift 996 over a standard M3. However your budget would get you a nice M3 CSL which may be less prone to vandalism if you are leaving it on the street.
Or you could save a few more pennies and get a nice 996 C4S or Turbo for 40ish.
I don't think there is any particular danger point on 996 mileages, although the 3.6 engine is considered a little stronger than the 3.4. Just make sure you get an OPC warranty (as Mr Soooooovious will shortly be along to tell you) in case the worst happens.
Or you could save a few more pennies and get a nice 996 C4S or Turbo for 40ish.
I don't think there is any particular danger point on 996 mileages, although the 3.6 engine is considered a little stronger than the 3.4. Just make sure you get an OPC warranty (as Mr Soooooovious will shortly be along to tell you) in case the worst happens.
Edited by R1_JON on Wednesday 6th June 13:57
I went for an M3 Csl a couple of years back - great car, and a much more 'special' driving experience than the standard car.
I've had a few 996's over the past few years also in varying guises, and although I thoroughly recommend them, for your budget, I reckon the M3 (Csl) is better value. £30k will get you a rather 'leggy' pre facelift 996, or a newer M3 with a lot less miles.
Both cars are great, so you need to drive both. I think my money would go the way of the Csl tho' - added bonus is that it would appear to have bottomed out price wise - the 996 would appear to have less firm residuals.....
All IMHO obviously
I've had a few 996's over the past few years also in varying guises, and although I thoroughly recommend them, for your budget, I reckon the M3 (Csl) is better value. £30k will get you a rather 'leggy' pre facelift 996, or a newer M3 with a lot less miles.
Both cars are great, so you need to drive both. I think my money would go the way of the Csl tho' - added bonus is that it would appear to have bottomed out price wise - the 996 would appear to have less firm residuals.....
All IMHO obviously
had an m3, 3 years ago. loved the car. moved into central london and couldn't justify the car, so i got rid of it for a mini.
3 years down the line, i'm still in central london, but now have a 987 boxster s. logical? forget it!!
which do i prefer??
okay, the m3 had brutal power, lots more space, great looks, etc, etc and i would happily have another. however, the boxster s may not have the same straight line grunt as the m3, but the handling feels so much better. i drove the boxster on twisty mountain roads in italy last month and the handling was way better than the m3, which i'd driven on similar roads in scotland.
so, i love both cars, but i don't think you'd regret a porker. good luck!!
3 years down the line, i'm still in central london, but now have a 987 boxster s. logical? forget it!!
which do i prefer??
okay, the m3 had brutal power, lots more space, great looks, etc, etc and i would happily have another. however, the boxster s may not have the same straight line grunt as the m3, but the handling feels so much better. i drove the boxster on twisty mountain roads in italy last month and the handling was way better than the m3, which i'd driven on similar roads in scotland.
so, i love both cars, but i don't think you'd regret a porker. good luck!!
Had three M3s in a row (last two being E46s) and now had two 997s in a row.
Have nothing but positive things to say about M3s (even though I blew two engines...) but after owning a Porsche I'd find it hard to go back to BMW.
I real life terms the performance is fairly similar between an M3 and a 996/997. However, for me the big difference is that in a 911 you never ever forget you're driving something special. 911 ownership is just one of those things you have to experience.
Go for it.
Have nothing but positive things to say about M3s (even though I blew two engines...) but after owning a Porsche I'd find it hard to go back to BMW.
I real life terms the performance is fairly similar between an M3 and a 996/997. However, for me the big difference is that in a 911 you never ever forget you're driving something special. 911 ownership is just one of those things you have to experience.
Go for it.
Rodfather said:
Mattt said:
What you really need is an MX-5!
were did that come from?The silly part is very often its used in humour - and is actually a really good suggestion!
Perhaps not on this occasion...
Thanks for the replies guys. Good to get the feedback particularly from those of you who have owned both. I guess for me the "safe" bet is to go for the CSL as I had such a great run out of the previous M3 and it would be a step up. However, something inside me says I need to try a different marque.........
The point about vehicle vandalism is a concern of course. Had no probs at all with the M3 parked on the street but that is more likely that it looked like just a silver 3 series coupe to the average drunk prat. This is despite the fact that a couple years ago there was some wierdo locally with a fetish for wing mirrors...... The Porsche may be a different story but it would be sad if my decision had to be based on that.
I think in the end the decision will come down to whats around in the next month or so. I'm trying organise a test drive week when I get back from my next trip to try and compare both back to back. will let you know what the result is.
Oh - and i agree about the MX5 - great little car and if we go back to being a 2 car family will definitely be on the list .
In the meantime I'll be spending a large chunk of my working day "researching" ........
The point about vehicle vandalism is a concern of course. Had no probs at all with the M3 parked on the street but that is more likely that it looked like just a silver 3 series coupe to the average drunk prat. This is despite the fact that a couple years ago there was some wierdo locally with a fetish for wing mirrors...... The Porsche may be a different story but it would be sad if my decision had to be based on that.
I think in the end the decision will come down to whats around in the next month or so. I'm trying organise a test drive week when I get back from my next trip to try and compare both back to back. will let you know what the result is.
Oh - and i agree about the MX5 - great little car and if we go back to being a 2 car family will definitely be on the list .
In the meantime I'll be spending a large chunk of my working day "researching" ........
Hi,
I went from an E46 M3 to a facelift 996 C2 and have to say IMO the 911 is the better car. I must admit i have never been a porsche fanboy but the 911 just feels so much more special than the M3 that i will find it hard to go back to anything which doesn't have a porsche badge on the front in the near future.. Ok the M3 is miles more practical and you can carry four passengers and their luggage easy but if you don't need that then i would choose the 911 over the CSL - just make sure the porker has the PSE fitted as it sounds awesome!
Anyway, just my 2pence worth..
cheers
boyner
I went from an E46 M3 to a facelift 996 C2 and have to say IMO the 911 is the better car. I must admit i have never been a porsche fanboy but the 911 just feels so much more special than the M3 that i will find it hard to go back to anything which doesn't have a porsche badge on the front in the near future.. Ok the M3 is miles more practical and you can carry four passengers and their luggage easy but if you don't need that then i would choose the 911 over the CSL - just make sure the porker has the PSE fitted as it sounds awesome!
Anyway, just my 2pence worth..
cheers
boyner
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